Red Sky Labs Muzio Player Premium post-purchase terms change
Red Sky Labs acquired the Muzio Player Android app and invalidated previously sold "lifetime" ad-free memberships, using a software update in January 2025 that forced users into a new subscription model.
Background
[edit | edit source]Since at least May 2020, the previous developer Apps10X[1] sold "Lifetime pro membership" packages for their Muzio Player app, advertising permanent removal of advertisements for a one-time payment. After Red Sky Labs acquired the app, they published an update in January 2025 that retroactively invalidated these purchases by reintroducing advertisements to users and requiring a subscription for ad-free functionality.[2][3]
Details of the change
[edit | edit source]Prior to January 2025:
- A one-time purchase permanently removed ads
- The app worked offline with minimal internet requirements
- User data was stored locally with an optional cloud backup
- No subscription model was required
After the January 2025 update:
- Previously paid lifetime memberships were no longer honored[4]
- Multiple ads played before music playback[5]
- A forced-subscription model was introduced
- No refund options were available for previous purchasers
Consumer impact
[edit | edit source]The change hurt users in many ways:
- Previous purchasers lost functionality they paid for
- Customer support e-mails about the change went unanswered[6]
- Users reported getting advertisements even with active subscriptions
- Playlists and user data affected by update
Systemic nature: Changing the terms of the sale
[edit | edit source]This shows a pattern of modern consumer exploitation through several issues:
- Using software updates to modify previously purchased features
- Converting one-time purchases into recurring subscriptions without customer consent
- No communication or recourse provided for affected customers
Red Sky Labs' response
[edit | edit source]
Consumer response
[edit | edit source]The response to the January 2025 changes was overwhelmingly negative, with revocation of the lifetime license for the popular music player being the largest complaint.
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Music Player - MP3 Player (formerly Muzio Player)". Google Play. 9 Nov 2024. Archived from the original on 16 Nov 2024.
- ↑ jerp_pursh (26 Jan 2025). "jerp_pursh on Instagram". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2 May 2026. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
My music app that I've been using since the death of Google Play Music - Muzio Player - apparently got new devs and the new devs removed the lifetime subscription (with no refund) and replaced it with a subscription that's apparently more than Spotify Premium.[...]
- ↑ Hildenbrand, Jerry (3 Feb 2025). "Ask Jerry: What can I do about dishonest app developers?". Android Central. Archived from the original on 9 Feb 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
- ↑ Nguyen, Ahn (4 Feb 2025). "Music Player - MP3 Player | Ratings and Reviews". Google Play. Archived from the original on 2 May 2026. Retrieved 30 Apr 2026.
I bought the paid pro version which was committed lifetime no ads by developer. Today, ads appears and app requires $6 per week to remove ads. This is violation of the commitment and kind of scam.
- ↑ Butrovich, Mike (27 Jun 2025). "Music Player - MP3 Player | Ratings and Reviews". Google Play. Archived from the original on 2 May 2026. Retrieved 30 Apr 2026.
Ads, ads, and more ads I opened the app and there was an ad. After the ad I went to a playlist menu and got hit with another ad. I scrolled to the playlist I created and ANOTHER AD! I refuse to pay $6/WEEK to remove ads, especially to a company that revoked its lifetime ad-free plan to go to a weekly subscription.
- ↑ Rossmann, Louis (28 Jan 2025). "Company sells 'LIFETIME' ad removal, then adds ads back anyway: Muzio Player Scam". YouTube. Archived from the original on 28 Jan 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
